Conservative Corner: Conservative Voting Woes

Throughout the history of America we have been blessed by our Founding Fathers with the gift of choosing of who will represent us in our state and federal government. This is a unique action that doesn’t just happen anywhere in the world. Unfortunately, this sacred and patriotic activity has been skewed by greed, corruption, lies and, dare and I say laziness.
Granted, many young people and first time voters may not follow or understand the effects of Congress, The Office of the President, or local politics on them, but they will affect everyone nonetheless. Many older and more experienced voters know this well. Many times the vote of the American Citizen has been violated with their elected official falling to the pressures of special interests and political gain. This has also caused many voters to just give up and stop exercising their civic duties. Unfortunately, this is where our system begins to fail.
We all know that it is quite easy for a person to become seduce by the dark side of politics. Money, power and influence are something’s that many people cannot resist, especially when their morality may be questionable. This is one of the reasons why many voters have lost faith in Congress and the President. A recently Gallup poll places the Congress approval rating at 11 percent. The Presidential ratings aren’t much better. Despite a number of scandals throughout the Obama Administration, Obama’s approval ratings are surprisingly high. According to a recent Gallup poll, Obama went from a 68 percent approval rating in February of 2009 to 41 percent this last October.
To Republicans and conservatives in Oregon’s 3rd Congressional District, a U.S. Senate seat seems to be out of reach. The last time a Republican held the office of Senator of the 3rd district was October 1 of 1995. To some younger voters that is a life time. With all the time that left-leaning Democrats have been in office, it’s a wonder when, if ever, the conservative voice in this part of Oregon will be heard.
According to http://www.uselections.com there are 4 Republicans and one Independent running against the Democrats for Oregon’s 3rd U.S. Senate District seat. They are Mark Callahan®, Sam Carpenter®, Jo Rae Perkins®, Monica Wehby®, and Karl King(I). To represent the silent “minority”, also known as Oregon conservatives, the candidates must, at least, be smart, tough, and well in touch with the people of the district in which they are representing. Unfortunately, there are forces that are holding back the conservative vote. With the liberal voting power of Eugene, Springfield, Salem and Portland, it may be a long time until a conservative voice gets a U.S. Senate seat for Oregon.
The Democrat/liberal wall in Oregon doesn’t stop there. The mass media, fueled with the financial power of the Democrat Party, represents a “David and Goliath” situation for any who tries to run against them. This is quite evident in the last Senate race. Art Robinson received a great deal of support in the Mid-Valley with support signs that were reminiscent of the old Berma-Shave advertisements. Unfortunately, TV spots and radio ads put forth very unpleasant view and sometimes personal insults against Mr. Robinson. It’s no wonder that Republicans and conservatives seem to be fighting a losing uphill battle.
Its situations like this that make many Republicans, conservatives, and conservative-minded independents not want to vote. Even the referendums that conservatives vote to support get suspended or denied by liberal-leaning judges and state officials. With the election of the Democrat/liberal/progressive president, U.S. Representative, U.S. Senator, Governor, and promotional media, I think it’s same to assume the liberal/progressives in the 3rd district of Oregon can sit back on their laurels and enjoy the mess Oregon has become. Nonetheless, it is not the end, another election is coming. Oregon can return to its former grandeur.
I implore the Republicans, conservatives and conservative-minded independents in Oregon to keep your heads up, get to know all of the candidates running for all of Oregon’s political seats, and vote. An informed voter is a good voter. If you are not registered to vote, please do so, and above all (even if you are a progressive liberal), please vote. The system only works if all of the people make it work.
Dkhummel.com, dkhummel.blogspot.com